Asda has issued an urgent recall for a toy found to contain traces of asbestos, posing a serious health risk to children. The product, Grafix Make Your Own Sand Bottle (Star & Heart), was sold between August 2021 and May 2026 and has been removed from shelves.
Product Details and Recall Information
The affected model is R06-0106/AS with barcode 5015934717660. This recall is part of a broader trend, with 127 product recalls for cancer-causing asbestos so far this year. The majority are children's toys sold in major retailers like Aldi and Tesco.
Safety Advice for Parents
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) advises that products containing sand should be double-bagged and sealed to prevent contamination. Parents are urged to check if their children's toys match those on the OPSS recall list, which includes brands such as Crayola, Smyths, Hunter Price, Hobbycraft, Argos, Tesco, Aldi, Home Bargains, Morrisons, Poundland, and TK Maxx.
Sue Davies, head of consumer protection policy at Which?, commented: “Seemingly innocent children’s toys can have serious health consequences if there aren’t proper checks to ensure they comply with safety laws.”
One internet user remarked: “These are UK companies that don’t seem to have been doing the correct testing from suppliers, in this case for asbestos. If we know a suppliers country has lax regulation, then testing should be really important.” Another added: “It’s absolutely criminal that companies are left to their own devices regarding public health.”
The issue has also led to the closure of two schools in North Tyneside as a precautionary measure. One school has since reopened after testing negative for asbestos.
